Detection of changes in the global troposphere temperature field induced by greenhouse gasses

Technical Report · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:6218302

Barnett, T P

Several approaches to detecting the existence of a theoretically predicted CO/sub 2/ induced signal in the global temperature field are investigated. It appears that a relatively thin network of observing stations can, when properly analyzed, provide a first order estimate of global temperature change. Using these stations, it is possible to estimate the strength of an a priori CO/sub 2/ signal in the 3-dimensional tropospheric temperature field. This signal is derived from two different GCM simulations both with interactive oceans. The observed signal strength over 1960 to 1980 is half that expected theoretically but still demonstrated a trend that is marginally significant. If the discrepancy between observation and theory is due only to the delaying effects of inertial elements of the climate system, then the characteristic delay time is estimated to be roughly 20 years.

• Research Organization: Ocean Research Consultants, La Jolla, CA (USA); Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6218302
• Report Number(s): UCRL-15940; ON: DE87014245
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON DIOXIDE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
DETECTION
CLIMATES
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
TROPOSPHERE
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)